Aryna Sabalenka secured her second consecutive Brisbane International title, defeating Marta Kostyuk in the final. The tournament featured strong performances from top-ranked players, including Madison Keys and Elena Rybakina, and was also marked by notable interactions and discussions between finalists Sabalenka and Kostyuk regarding the conflict in Ukraine.
Tournament Overview and Early Rounds
The Brisbane International served as an early-season event, with several top players commencing their campaigns.
Madison Keys' Campaign
Seventh-seeded Madison Keys, ranked world number seven, began her tournament by defeating McCartney Kessler 6-4, 6-3 in the second round on Pat Rafter Arena. The match lasted one hour and 26 minutes. Keys noted typical initial nerves for the year's first match, stating she felt she was "removing some rust." Keys's previous season concluded with eight losses in 17 matches after reaching the quarter-finals at Roland Garros.
During the match, Keys achieved an early break, but Kessler, ranked 31st, responded, challenging Keys in humid conditions. Keys was broken in the seventh game of the first set and saved two break points in the ninth before converting her fifth break point to secure the set. In the second set, Keys broke Kessler twice. Keys expressed positive sentiments about returning to Australia, referencing her previous year's success, which included winning the Adelaide International.
Aryna Sabalenka's Early Matches
World number one Aryna Sabalenka also began her tournament with a decisive victory, defeating Cristina Bucșa 6-0, 6-1 in the second round. This match concluded in 48 minutes, with Bucșa, ranked 50th, winning a total of 22 points.
Further Progress and Quarter-Finals
Sabalenka's Third Round Performance
In the third round, Sabalenka defeated Sorana Cîrstea 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and 17 minutes. Sabalenka recorded 31 winners against Cîrstea's 11, winning close to 80% of her first-serve points. She converted four out of 13 break points and faced two break points on her own serve. Sabalenka broke Cîrstea in the opening game, Cîrstea broke back to level at 2-2, but Sabalenka then broke serve at love to take a 3-2 lead and secured the first set in 40 minutes. She broke Cîrstea's serve in the eighth game of the second set to close out the match. Sabalenka commented that Cîrstea "always pushes me really hard, especially in the second set."
Elena Rybakina's Advancement
2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina secured a 6-3, 6-2 victory over former world number two Paula Badosa. This marked their ninth head-to-head encounter, with the series previously tied at four wins each. Rybakina overcame an initial 2-0 deficit in the first set, taking a 4-3 lead after Badosa committed back-to-back double faults. Rybakina maintained pressure, preventing Badosa from dictating points, and continued to target Badosa's second serve in the second set. Rybakina remarked, "It's always tough to play against Paula... I started a little bit slow, but I'm happy I managed to win."
Quarter-Final Match-Up
Aryna Sabalenka, seeded first, and Madison Keys, seeded seventh, met in the quarter-finals. Sabalenka defeated Keys in straight sets. During this match, Sabalenka faced three service breaks but successfully broke back each time, overcoming a player who had defeated her at Melbourne Park the previous year.
Semi-Finals
Sabalenka vs. KarolĂna Muchová
Aryna Sabalenka advanced to her third consecutive Brisbane International final by defeating KarolĂna Muchová 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 29 minutes. This victory reversed Muchová's prior 3-1 head-to-head record against Sabalenka. The match took place under challenging temperature conditions. Sabalenka's effective serving was a key factor; she won 94% of her first service points in the first set and maintained an 88% success rate across the entire match, not facing a break point until the final game. Muchová saved two set points in the first set and finished with an 82% first serve percentage.
The Final: Sabalenka vs. Kostyuk
Match Result and Progression
Aryna Sabalenka claimed her second consecutive Brisbane International title, defeating Marta Kostyuk with a score of 6-4, 6-3 in one hour and 17 minutes. Sabalenka secured an early break in Kostyuk's opening service game, but Kostyuk responded by breaking back, leveling the score in the first set. Sabalenka then won the first set by breaking Kostyuk's serve at a critical moment. In the second set, Sabalenka maintained a high level of intensity, consistently creating break opportunities and forcing errors from Kostyuk. Sabalenka did not drop a single set throughout the tournament. This marked Sabalenka's fifth professional victory over Kostyuk in as many matches.
Marta Kostyuk's Path to the Final
World number 26 Marta Kostyuk reached her first WTA final in 21 months, defeating three top-10 players—Amanda Anisimova, Mirra Andreeva, and Jessica Pegula—en route to the final.
Sabalenka's Australian Record
This victory marked Sabalenka's 37th win in her last 39 matches in Australia. She has now secured five titles on Australian soil from seven finals, including two Australian Open titles, positioning her as a strong contender for the upcoming Australian Open.
Off-Court Dynamics and Player Interactions
No Handshake and Tournament Protocols
Following the final, Marta Kostyuk did not acknowledge Aryna Sabalenka directly, and there was no handshake between the players. Tournament organizers confirmed that no joint photograph of the players would occur before or after the final.
Kostyuk's Statements
Kostyuk has adopted a stance of refusing to shake hands with Russian or Belarusian players, citing Belarus's support for Russia's actions in Ukraine. In her post-match interview, Kostyuk addressed the ongoing situation in Ukraine, stating, "I want to say a few words about Ukraine. I play every day with a pain in my heart. There are thousands of people who are without light and warm water right now, it's -20 degrees outside right now, so it's very, very painful to live this reality every day." She also referenced Ukrainian fans and flags, stating, "I was incredibly moved and happy to see so many Ukrainian fans and flags here this week … Slava Ukraini." Kostyuk further explained in a press conference that she uses her platform to discuss Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of speaking up for one's beliefs.
Sabalenka's Response
After her victory, Sabalenka made a gesture of kissing both biceps, which she attributed to an "in-joke" with her team. She congratulated Kostyuk and expressed hope to play against her in a final again soon. Regarding Kostyuk's stance, Sabalenka stated, "It's their position. What can I do? I don't mind that. I don't care about that," adding that her focus is on tennis and competition. Sabalenka had previously stated in 2023 at the French Open that no Russian or Belarusian athletes support the war and would stop it if possible. An additional point of tension involved Kostyuk's previous comments about players like Sabalenka having an advantage due to testosterone levels, which Kostyuk later stated were misquoted. Kostyuk did not apologize for her original comments.
Other Notable Performances
World No. 2 Iga Swiatek experienced a second consecutive loss, falling to Belinda Bencic 3-6, 6-0, 6-3, following a loss to Coco Gauff. This marked Swiatek's second instance of consecutive losses in a few months. Despite holding six Grand Slam titles, Swiatek has not reached the final at Melbourne Park, with her best runs being semi-final appearances in 2022 and 2025.